Ontario Reptile & Amphibian Survey Course
About the Course
The Ontario Reptile & Amphibian Survey Course is an immersive training program that combines classroom-based learning with hands-on field experience to provide participants with practical skills in reptile and amphibian identification, ecology, and survey methods. Designed for environmental professionals, students, conservation practitioners, and individuals interested in wildlife monitoring, the course provides practical knowledge and applied experience to support reptile and amphibian monitoring and conservation efforts in Ontario. Through a blend of interactive presentations, field demonstrations, and real-world survey activities, participants gain experience identifying species, understanding habitat use and seasonal activity patterns, and applying standardized survey techniques. Field components expose participants to a range of habitats and survey approaches, helping build confidence and practical skills while providing opportunities to observe and work with a diversity of Ontario reptile and amphibian species.
Course topics and activities include:
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Reptile and amphibian ecology and life history
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Species identification
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Survey methods, study design, and field techniques
Key learning objectives include:
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Ability to identify Ontario’s reptiles and amphibians.
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Understanding of reptile and amphibian ecology and phenology as it relates to detectability and survey timing.
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General understanding of reptile and amphibian habitat use, as well as species-specific habitat preferences.
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Knowledge of appropriate survey methods for Ontario’s reptile and amphibian species, including the advantages and limitations of each method.
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Understanding of key considerations for assessing the presence/absence of reptile and amphibian species, including search efforts.
Course Location:
Beausoleil Island: Located in southeastern Georgian Bay, is the largest island within the Georgian Bay Islands National Park, which encompasses over 30,000 islands in the world’s largest freshwater archipelago. Positioned at the transition zone between the Canadian Shield and the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Lowlands, Beausoleil Island boasts an exceptional diversity of habitats. The unique combination of shoreline ecosystems and inland features creates a thriving environment for both flora and fauna.
Home to 17 species of reptiles and 12 species of amphibians, Beausoleil Island hosts more than half of Ontario's herpetofauna, making it an exceptional biodiversity hotspot. As part of a national park, the island offers a protected environment ideal for hands-on learning, real-world conservation skills, and species identification. Accessible by boat and equipped with well-maintained facilities, it's a convenient and inspiring place to explore Ontario's rich herpetofauna!
Accommodations
Accommodations are rustic but comfortable.
Accommodations are being provided by Camp Kitchikewana, a YMCA camp on Beausoleil Island. The cabins have bunk beds which accommodate 5-6 people comfortably in the same room, with enough extra space for personal belongings. All beds have mattresses, but you will need to bring bedding/sleeping bag and a pillow.
All cabins have electricity, porches, and storage space for personal items
Camp washrooms are separate buildings that have running water and flush toilets, and hot showers are also available in select washroom buildings on site.
Camp Kitchikewana will provide meals and potable drinking water.
Interested in hosting the Ontario Reptile & Amphibian Survey Course?
Whether you’re a private landowner, restoration practitioner, or conservation organization, hosting the course means receiving expertly guided snake habitat creation on your property at no cost to you, while helping build knowledge and capacity for snake conservation in Ontario.
Steering Committee and Instructors
Instructors vary from year to year, depending on course location and instructor availability
Principal | Blazing Star Environmental
Ecologist | Blazing Star Environmental
Principal | Toadally Restored
Ontario Herpetologist
Principal | G.G. Beck Ecological Consulting
Frequently asked questions
Past Courses
2012 Course
Thirty-four participants completed the inaugural course, which was run at the Elbow Lake Environmental Education Centre (north of Kingston) from May 17 to May 18, 2012.
2013 Course 1
Thirty-six participants completed the course at Camp Kitchikewana on Beausoleil Island in Georgian Bay Islands National Park. The course ran from May 14 to May 16, 2013.
2013 Course 2
Twenty-two participants completed the course at The Queen’s University Biological Station (QUBS) north of Kingston. The course ran from Tuesday, July 12, to Thursday, July 14, 2016.
2014 Course
Thirty-four participants completed the course at Camp Kitchikewana on Beausoleil Island in Georgian Bay Islands National Park. The course ran from May 26 to May 28, 2014.
2015 Course
Thirty-four participants completed the course at Camp Kitchikewana on Beausoleil Island in Georgian Bay Islands National Park. The course ran from June 12 to June 14, 2015.
2016 Course 1
Twenty-eight participants completed the course at Camp Kitchikewana on Beausoleil Island in Georgian Bay Islands National Park. The course ran from Saturday, June 4, to Monday, June 6, 2016.
2016 Course 2
Twenty-two participants completed the course at The Queen’s University Biological Station (QUBS) north of Kingston. The course ran from Tuesday, July 12, to Thursday, July 14, 2016.
2017 Course
Thirty-one participants completed the course at Camp Kitchikewana on Beausoleil Island in Georgian Bay Islands National Park. The course ran from Friday, May 26, to Sunday, May 28, 2017.
2018 Course
We were back at Camp Kitchikewana on beautiful Beausoleil Island in Georgian Bay Islands National Park in 2018! Thirty-three participants joined us for the course, which ran from Friday, May 25, to Sunday, May 27, 2018.
2019 Course 1
Twenty-eight participants joined us for the first course at Camp Kitchikewana on beautiful Beausoleil Island in Georgian Bay Islands National Park from Friday, May 24, to Sunday, May 26, 2019.
2019 Course 2
Thirty participants joined us for the second course at Camp Kitchikewana on Beausoleil Island in Georgian Bay Islands National Park from Friday, June 7, to Sunday, June 9, 2019.
2022 – 2 Courses
Thirty participants completed the course at the Elbow Lake Environmental Education Centre, north of Kingston. The course ran from Saturday, June 4, to Sunday, June 5, 2022.
Twenty-two participants completed the course at Rondeau Provincial Park. The course ran from Saturday, June 25, to Sunday, June 26, 2022.
2023 Course
Twenty-five participants completed the course at the Elbow Lake Environmental Education Centre, north of Kingston. The course ran from Friday, May 26 to Sunday, May 28, 2023.
2024 Course
Thirty-two participants completed the course at Camp Kitchikewana on Beausoleil Island in the Georgian Bay Islands National Park. The course ran from Friday, June 7 to Sunday, June 9, 2024.
2026 Course
Twenty-nine participants completed the course at Camp Kitchikewana on Beausoleil Island in the Georgian Bay Islands National Park. The course ran from Thursday, June 4 to Sunday, June 7, 2026.
2025 Course
Twenty-seven participants completed the course at Camp Kitchikewana on Beausoleil Island in the Georgian Bay Islands National Park. For the first time, the course ran for four days, Thursday, May 22, to Sunday, May 25, 2025.